Zabel started her adult life far from the kitchen. Wanting to teach, she studied in Spain and Ecuador, earning a degree in bilingual education. But the classroom wasn’t for her. She found a job as a bilingual receptionist for AIDS Walk L.A., and moved up the corporate ladder.

Suffering from burn-out, after long days she found relief and joy over a hot oven baking chocolate chip cookies.

Her husband David carried her chewy concoctions to work—he was a writer/producer for “ER,” the TV series. Erin listened to his colleagues’ feedback and perfected her recipe and packaging. The cookies must have tasted good. A former agent remains Erin’s best client.